Next Rock Hill Police Chief to come from within

The search for Rock Hill’s police Chief has been narrowed down to three — and city officials confirmed late Friday the next Chief will be an internal candidate.

Rock Hill City Manager David Vehaun said Friday, “We have decided to only focus on our internal candidates. I suggested at the outset of this process that I believed that our internal candidates would compete well in a national search and this has certainly been the case. I congratulate our internal candidates and I look forward to naming a new chief soon.”

Those internal candidates include Captain Steve Parker, Captain Chris Watts and Lieutenant Brad Redfearn. All three have served in various capacities within the department for several years.

Vehaun said Friday’s announcement is a testament to the quality of the candidates.

The search process for the next Chief included two public forums, internal forums with Police Department employees and consultation with the International Association of Chiefs of Police.